We can rave all we want about the mind-numbing virtues of ignorant rap, but don’t you miss the days when Jeru used to drop superscientifical madness? In his latest effort, Queensbridge’s unsung hero Tragedy Khadafi finally finds the perfect balance between exotic gunplay and esoteric hip hop science. Over the years, Khadafi (previously known as the Arab Nazi) has served as mentor to the likes of Capone-N-Noreaga and Mobb Deep’s Havoc. And when it comes to dropping jewels, the first thing Trag will tell you is that nature is the true thug’s paradise.

VICE: So what do all rappers need to know about nature?
Khadafi: Nature is realer than most people. People are destructive, but nature is based on a cycle, an order. People don’t have order. Like, for instance, if you look at the ocean, as vast as the ocean is, it fucking knows not to come past its boundaries. But man knows no boundaries. That’s why you got destruction and misery.

What are your earliest memories of nature?
When I was a kid I never saw rabbits running around the yard, chilling and shit. But I remember being young and just going outside, and my friends not being around to play with, and just putting my face to the ground and watching the ants. I studied them, you know, when you’re young you just observe everything. But as I grew more mature I realized that the ants, as simplistic as their lives are, they work in a community. They know how to work together better than people do.

And what role does nature play in all this spiritual stuff you’re into?
Well, I respect ways of life, that’s my science. Different cultures pose the fundamentals and guidelines for a better life. And it’s like nature and life are interdependent. Everything is made up of atoms and molecules. That’s life. The opposite of water is fire: You reverse those atoms and molecules and that’s what you get. So how could you better life when you don’t respect nature, the essence of life? It’s like the sazon, the flavor, the fucking adobo of life. Like, right now we smell some dog shit, it smells kind of funny, but that’s just nature, you know what I’m saying?

BUSTA NUT
Tragedy’s album Still Reportin’ is out now on Solid Records.